Chardonnay

Chardonnay is certainly the most famous grape variety in Champagne, emblematic and synonymous with elegance, finesse, freshness and minerality.

This grape variety is vinified on its own or in blends:

• the Cuvées made exclusively from Chardonnay are called Blanc de Blancs in Champagne and are the preferred choice of purists and connoisseurs.
• in blends with Pinot Noir and Meunier, it 'brightens up the picture' and energises the whole.

HISTORY OF CHARDONNAY

History tells us of several origins of Chardonnay.

The first is legendary. It is said to have originated in Jerusalem and that it was the Crusaders who brought it to France. Its name would thus derive etymologically from the Hebrew 'Cha'ar Adonai', meaning the gates of God.

The second origin would simply derive from the word 'thistle', a plant that loves chalky soil, just like our white vine.

In Burgundy, there is a village with the same name: Chardonnay, which illustrates the importance of this vine in this region.

In Champagne, it has long been treated as 'the ugly duckling'.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, it was still referred to as:

1. wine of the river - the Meunier (the Marne)
2. wine of the mountain - the Pinot Noir (Montagne de Reims)

The 'still' wine of the Côte des Blancs, the Blanc de Blancs to be precise, was considered inferior to the other two because it was too acidic and was called 'sour wine'.

Its success would begin as soon as it had 'the famous bubbles'.

CHARDONNAY IN CHAMPAGNE

The cradle par excellence of this grape variety is Burgundy.

In Champagne, the common base of Chardonnay plots is chalk, either pure and outcropping, or covered with sand, clay, marl...

It covers 29% of Champagne's vineyards and dominates the terroirs of the Côte des Blancs, renowned for its chalk soils, where each commune, from Avize to Oger or Mesnil-sur-Oger, has made its own specific reputation and fame.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CHARDONNAY

This vine with its yellow-green skin and colourless pulp is characterised by its slow maturation and evolution and its acidity, making it an ideal complement for excellent wine ageing.

1. ACCORDING TO THE NATURE OF THE TERROIR

Chardonnay translates "like an open book" the type and characteristics of the minerals it absorbs from the soil. A white grape variety that is widespread worldwide, its taste, with its multiple aromas and flavours, is a reflection of the vineyard from which it comes.

There are therefore many differences of expression from one region to another, from one plot to another.

•     The Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs has a 'mineral' dimension. The particularly chalky soil gives it its legendary minerality and acidity. The northernmost vineyards give more powerful Champagnes and the other, more central vineyards, give finer, more incisive wines with a good presence on the palate. Their structure is characterised by a lively attack, great length and a very taut, acid and mineral finish. 
•     The Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims, born from a clay-limestone soil, has the typical minerality but a more moderate acidity, a nice volume with a firm attack and a rounded finish.
•     The Chardonnay from the Vallée de la Marne is characterised by a rounder attack and a firm finish, with the minerality and acidity in evidence.
•     The Chardonnay from the Côte des Bar, from marly soil, has an oval structure with a soft, broad attack, a full body and a moderate presence of acidity and minerality.

2. ACCORDING TO AGEING

Its aromas evolve with ageing on the lees, maintaining its characteristic freshness and becoming richer in complexity.

•     In its youth, it is characterised by delicate floral notes and elegant minerality.
•     In its maturity, the aromatic expression is enriched and evolves towards increasingly complex notes: brioche, biscuits, dried fruit, citrus fruits, wheat, elegant floral notes (rose), hints of cereals and dried flowers, pear brandy and iodine.
•     At its peak, with over 20 years on the lees, it is characterised by aromas of great nobility and complexity: honey, quince, vanilla and roasted notes such as coffee, toast and cocoa.

It is now time to start enjoying the result of this long work and discover all the facets of Champagnes Blanc de Blancs made from this elegant and prestigious grape variety.

Discover our Boutique to choose your Cuvées!

Cheers et à votre santé !